Why You Should Choose the Best Setting for Your Dishes
Simply put, dishwasher settings are there to give you more options for cleaning your dishes. Most people use the same setting repeatedly because they trust the consistent performance and know how long it will take to complete. If it’s working, there is little reason to change. However, dishwashers are versatile, and the settings are the ticket to get the most out of them. For example, some dishwashers have a setting for running at a half-load capacity, which is more energy- and water-efficient. Some have settings for cleaning different types of dishes, like heavily soiled, lightly soiled pots, and fragile glassware. Using the correct setting makes the cycle more time and energy-efficient.
Dishwasher Settings, Explained
Dishwashers differ in design, size, brand, make, and model, so consult the user's manual for model-specific information. However, here are some standard dishwasher settings and what they mean.
Pre-Wash / Rinse Only
Just a few years ago, it used to be necessary to rinse dirty plates and cups before loading them into the dishwasher. The pre-rinse cycle, also known as the rinse-only setting, eliminates the need to soak or hand-rinse before loading the dishwasher. Just scrape off the serious gunk and load up the dishes. You can run a rinse cycle before the wash cycle, which sprays dishes with water to remove food debris or residue. It also allows you to pre-soak items with dried or baked-on food. It’s also a helpful feature if you want to remove residue and lingering odors from a few items but are not ready to run a full load yet. This tends to be a short cycle of 30-60 minutes.
Auto / Sensor Cycle
If you’re shopping around for a new dishwasher, look for an appliance with an auto, or sensor, wash feature, as it can make your daily life much easier. This setting uses sensors to detect the dirtiness level of the dishes and then adjusts the temperature, time, and water pressure to clean them accordingly. When you do not know the exact setting that will be ideal for your load, try this setting to start. It is best when the dishware and utensils are at the same general soil level. Depending on the amount of residue, this cycle can last anywhere from an hour and a half to three hours.
Normal Wash
The normal cycle is ideal for most daily dishes, ones without baked-on food or grease. This setting balances cleaning performance, water usage, and energy efficiency. It typically includes a prewash, a main wash with average temperature and water pressure, and one or two rinse cycles. It uses medium water pressure to pre-wash, wash, and rinse your dishes with just enough heat to sanitize and dry them. This setting cleans thoroughly, so long as dishes, pots, and cups are positioned correctly in relation to the water jets. This cycle can last 2-3 hours, depending on the model.
Quick Wash
You can still get a speedy clean for regular dishes, even if you’re in a rush. Almost all dishwashers have a quick or express cycle setting that finishes the job in about an hour. This setting uses more water and heat to deliver fast results. It’s less energy efficient and won’t remove baked-on grime, but it’s effective on lightly used dishes in a pinch. It is ideal for quickly cleaning a small load of lightly dirty items. It is sometimes called the 1-Hour Cycle because it can be completed in an hour or less, depending on the machine model.
Heavy Wash
Also referred to as the heavy-duty or cookware cycle, this setting uses extra water, extreme temperatures, and multiple wash cycles to handle hard-to-clean items. It is ideal for heavily soiled items like pots and pans, casserole dishes, saucepans, baking dishes, and other grimy tableware. Load the dishwasher with extra-dirty pots, pans, and baking dishes, and let the strong water pressure and higher temperature do the dirty work for you.
You should still pre-soak items before using this cycle. This cycle may also reach very high temperatures, so it is sometimes used as a workaround for sterilizing glass bottles and infant and toddler items. This cycle can run a bit longer—up to four hours on some appliances—and often includes an extended soak or extra rinses. But it’s worth it to save yourself from scrubbing stubborn stains on that casserole dish after a long night of hosting a successful holiday or dinner party at home.
Delicate / China / Glassware Cycle
Most dishwashers have a cycle dedicated to cleaning delicate items, such as stemmed glassware or fine china. So, once you’re done with a heavy load after your party, run this setting for any fragile items your guests used to get them sparkling yet keep them intact. This setting offers lower temperature and water pressure. It is ideal for delicate items such as glassware, stemware, crystal, china, and other delicate utensils. The low temperature and water pressure help reduce the risk of damage. It also protects utensils from chipping, cracking, shattering, or being scratched during the cycle.
If you don’t see ‘delicate’ on your dishwasher, look for options labeled light, glass, or china/crystal, as these all refer to the same setting. This load is typically completed in less time than normal or heavy ones, sometimes in only 30 minutes to an hour.
Eco Mode
If time isn’t a factor, choose the eco-mode or energy-saving setting when you want to be conscious of your energy consumption. The eco mode lowers the wash and rinse temperatures during a cycle, helping you save on energy and water, thus lowering your utility bills. The trade-off for lower consumption is a longer cycle, which means the load is soaked in detergent for longer to make the cleaning process much easier. It is ideal for eco-conscious households or for cleaning lightly soiled utensils. It may not work well for large pots and pans that are heavily soiled with caked-on food. Note that this cycle takes longer because most models use air instead of heat during the drying process.
Sanitizing Cycle
To kill bacteria and germs, this setting releases hot water of up to 1500F or higher in the final rinse cycle. It is ideal for homes with children, elderly family members, and anyone with a compromised immune system. Use this setting to sanitize baby bottles, cutting boards, or other cookware that has come into contact with contaminants, such as raw chicken. You can also use this setting for any dishwasher-safe items you want to disinfect, especially after a flu outbreak or other bout of sickness in the house. Like the heavy-duty cycle, this one runs pretty long, thanks to the extra sanitizing rinse at the end. (Note that some models offer an express sanitizing cycle.)
Drying Settings
As with washing, dishwashers have multiple drying settings: air dry, heated rinse, and heat dry options.
Air Dry: After a wash cycle, the air dry setting automatically opens the dishwasher door to allow the steam to escape and the utensils to air dry.
Heated Rinse: The heated rinse setting increases the water temperature toward the end of the cycle. Once the cycle is done, the hot water evaporates quickly, leaving the dishes drier.
Heat Dry: Heat dry uses the heating element to generate hot air and circulate it around the dishes to remove residuals.
Understanding the different dishwasher settings will help you maximize the performance of your machine, all while saving on water and energy bills. Always refer to the product manual for specific recommendations.
